COASTLINE DESCRIPTION
Variability
Along
Sector
The coastal edge of Sector 7 is relatively uniform, being characterised by
backing cliffs fronted by rocky shores. The low lying development of
Swanage and the soft shores of Swanage Bay interrupt the shingle shores.
Some variability in the coastal edge occurs with changes in cliff morphology
and coastal cliff features, and with variation in the nature of the rocky
shores.
The coastline of the sector is dominated by the two open embayments of
Durlston Bay and Swanage Bay and the massive broad chalk headland
between Ballard Point and Handfast Point in the north.
Handfast Point (Old Harry) to South Ballard Point: Sheer chalk cliffs of
moderate height around 30m, with narrow boulder beaches. The cliffs
display many caves and stacks at the base of the cliffs and they look
indented from above The lower Backshore of the boulder beaches
comprise massive slabs of rock and boulders, largely derived from rock
falls from the backing cliffs. These deposits form narrow steeply sloping
strip beaches at the cliff-foot.
South of Ballard Point to New Swanage: Shingle becoming sand, with
low cliffs behind, these are a mixture of clays and sand, much of it
overgrown.
Backshore
Zone
New Swanage to Pier: From New Swanage to the groined area, mainly
sand and shingle then a sandy beach with wall behind extends to the pier.
The Pier to Peverell Point: A shingle and boulder beach mainly built up
behind.
Peverell Point to Durlston Head: Shingle and boulder beach with some
exposed bedrock at Peverell Point. Behind that the cliffs are steep and
display prominent slumping. They are a varied mixture of limestone, sands
and clays and towards the southern end are much overgrown. In any area
where shoreline cleanup may be possible a high proportion of the
immediate Backshore zone is exposed rock cliff suffering from erosion and
instability.
Intertidal
Zone
The intertidal zone of the boulder beaches is steep, straight and very
narrow. This beach type forms an apron at the base of the cliffs and
individual beaches rarely exceed much more than 25m in length. These
beaches occur in Durlston Bay and along the northern edge of Swanage
Bay. The shingle beaches north of Swanage have a fairly steep beach
face and a mixed sand and shingle lower intertidal zone. These beaches
may extend over 30m in length. The intertidal zones of the shingle beaches
that foot the chalk cliffs are narrow and may be sandy and fairly flat in the
lower intertidal are. The sandy beach at Swanage has a mainly sandy
intertidal zone with occasional shingle. The slope is gentle and the beach
is linear in shape.
Rocky platforms and plunging cliffs, i.e. cliffs that plunge directly into the
sea without a basal platform or beach, occur south of Handfast Point,
around Durlston Head and at Peverell Point. The platforms are very
narrow, usually no more than a few metres wide and discontinuous
features without a veneer of sediment. The platform at Peverell Point is
wider, up to 80 - 90m and possesses a loose sediment veneer.
Part Four: Coastal Data Sheets – Durlston Head to Handfast Point
Page 155
COASTLINE DESCRIPTION - CONTINUED
Wave
Energy
Higher wave energy at exposed sections is indicated by rocky wave-cut
platforms, especially those that are swept clean of sediment. The flat
sandy beach indicates a lower wave energy environment in Swanage Bay.
Groynes in Swanage Bay.
Man-made
features
Stone outfall structure - central part of bay - part of flood alleviation
scheme(SZ 032 792)
Piers at Swanage;
Sea wall at Swanage.
Marine
Biology:
Littoral Zone
Assessment
An extensive sandy beach area within Swanage Bay (SZ 032 794). This
area is of very low biological importance. The remainder of the sector
possesses an exposed intertidal habitat.
The main area of biological
importance is Peverell Point (SZ 041 786). Here the coast is swept by
strong tidal currents, and has diverse flora and fauna.
CONSERVATION
Sensitive
Marine
Areas
In addition to statutory designations Natural England has identified 3
important areas for marine wildlife (more commonly referred to as
'Sensitive Marine Areas' SMA’s) around Dorset. They are not designations
but are used to indicate he presence of rich vulnerable marine species or
habitats. The full descriptions of these SMA’s are held in the SRC
information file. All Dorset Sectors are SMA’s.
RESOURCES AT RISK
The most important area for tourism along the coastal edge of this unit is
Swanage Bay. Tourism in this area is growing in importance with Swanage
Tourism and
being the centre for growth. There is a large amount of holiday
Recreation
accommodation, including serviced accommodation, caravans and camping
facilities.
Fisheries
and
Mariculture
Sport fishing is a major recreational and tourist activity, with fishing
occurring from both the shore and from boats. Shore fishing takes place
from Peverell Point, Anvil Point and Ledge Bay, and boat fishing occurs in
Swanage Bay, off Peverell Point and Anvil Point. The coastal waters along
the unit are used for the trawling of demersal fish.
Industrial
N/A
Expected
Claim Areas
TBA
Part Four: Coastal Data Sheets – Durlston Head to Handfast Point
Page 156
CLEAN-UP STRATEGY
Local
Agreements
Protection / Booming Positions - No Specific Plan for this sector.
Special
Consideration
Possible Catchment Areas - Swanage Bay & Durlston Bay particularly
vulnerable to easterly winds.
Water Table - N/A
Agreed
Treatment
(Natural
England and
Local
Authorities)
Oil that becomes stranded on the sandy beach should be removed using
mechanical or manual methods of clean up. Elsewhere, oil should be left
to degrade naturally.
No dispersants to be used without prior consultation with the Maritime
Management Organisation (MMO).
Manual collection of tarballs and other oily debris.
Held Locally:

Equipment
Guidelines
None
Other sources of equipment:

MCA Stockpile

Weymouth Harbour Boom.
Containment
and Recovery
Along the cliff and rocky sections of coastline there are no effective
methods available that would completely protect the shoreline other than
at-sea clean up. If wind and tidal conditions permit booms could be
deployed to stop oil migrating along the high amenity area at Swanage
Beach.
Temporary
Storage
Lined skips would be required for storage of recovered oil or oily debris.
Part Four: Coastal Data Sheets – Durlston Head to Handfast Point
Page 157
SENSITIVITY SCORE WORKSHEET
ECONOMIC
range
S
W
Income or Use
Reduction
0-4
4
2
Natural Resource
Damage
0-4
2
2
Replacement /
Restoration Costs
0-4
2
2
0-12
8
6
Sub Total
SOCIAL
Purpose of Use
Effect of Oil
Degree of Direct Contact
Amount of Use
Treatment before Use
Sub Total
Total Sensitivity Rating
range
S
W
0-4
4
2
0-4
4
2
0-4
4
3
0-4
4
2
0-4
2
2
0-20
14
11
0-64
49
39
AESTHETIC
Scenic Quality
Visual Impact
Local Appreciation
Sub Total
ENVIRONMENTAL
Water quality
Degradation
Biological Productivity
Ecological Significance
Unique Habitat Uses
Ecological Vulnerability
Sub Total
range
S
W
0-4
4
4
0-4
4
2
0-4
4
2
0-12
12
8
range
S
W
0-4
3
3
0-4
2
2
0-4
2
2
0-4
1
2
0-4
1
1
0-20
9
10
AREA SENSITIVITY RANKING The outside considerations listed below can be added to
the total sensitivity rating to modify the score
OUTSIDE
CONSIDERATIONS
Political Pressure
Public Pressure
Time Restrictions
Sub Total
TOTAL SENSITIVITY
TOTAL MODIFIED
SENSITIVITY
range
S
W
0-4
4
2
0-4
4
4
0-4
2
1
12
10
7
0-64
49
39
0-76
59
46
Part Four: Coastal Data Sheets – Durlston Head to Handfast Point
Page 158
Sector 14 Durlston Head (SZ 036 773) to Handfast Point (SZ 054 824)







2
SWA5b



SWA5a

Length of Coastline - 7.5 km
Straight Line Distance - 5.6 km
Aspect – Easterly
Exposure - Handfast Point to Ballard Point ~ Exposed
Swanage Bay ~ Moderately Exposed
Peveril Point to Durlston Head ~ Exposed
Coastline Description - Cliff coastline with predominantly shingle shores
interrupted by the Backshore development of Swanage and Swanage
Bay.
Conservation - geological SSSIs and sea bird breeding area.
Resources at Risk - significant area for tourism and fishing, particularly
within Swanage Bay.
Clean-up Strategy - prioritise for high amenity beaches and commercial
fisheries
Access to Shoreline - Swanage only.
Map Crown Copyright - Map Scale 1cm = 0.3418
SWA4
Feature
Peak Tourism & Recreation
Commercial Fishing
Sport Angling
Seabird Concentrations
RVP16
50
SWA3
Resources at Risk
J F M A M J
J
A
S
O N
D
49
RVP15
48
47
46
45
SWA2
RVP14
44
Sector 14 Durlston Head to Handfast Point
SWA1
DURL3
DURL2
Natural England Designations , Habitats & Coastal Schedules
Site Name
Designation & Habitat
Conservation
EN
Interest
Schedul
e
Studland
SSSI - Biological &
Geological;
DT04
Cliffs
Geological, pSAC
Nesting sea birds;
Coastal landforms
Purbeck
SSSI - Biological &
Geological;
DT05
Ridge (East)
Geological, pSAC
Coastal landforms;
Botanical
South Dorset
SSSI; Slumped Cliffs,
Geological;
DT07
Coast
partly vegetated
Botanical
Durlstone
Declared a Voluntary
Marine
Marine Nature
Research
Reserve in 1994
Area
Category 3
DURL1
Site Name
Durlston Country Park
Purbeck Heritage Coast
Dorset AONB
Access 43
S/M/P Unit
Key Sensitive Features & Importance
EA
Rati
ng
B1
B1
B3
B3
B3
B3
B3
B1
MP
S
Sensitivity
Score
S
W
59
46
59
46
59
46
59
46
59
46
59
46
59
46
59
46
Protection Practical
DURL 1
SSSI, SAC, (P) WHS, Country Park, Dolphins
S
No
DURL 2&3 SSSI, SAC, (P) WHS, Country Park, Dolphins
S
No
SWA1
Amenity Area, Boating
MS
No
SWA2
Amenity Beach
MS
No
SWA3
SSSI, Amenity Beach
MS
No
SWA4
SSSI, SAC, (P) WHS
AY
No
SWA3
SSSI, Amenity Beach
MS
No
SWA5 a&b SSSI, SAC, (P) WHS, birds
S
No
Access to Shoreline and Rendezvous Points (RVPs)
No Access (cliffs) between to Ballard Cliff (SZ 041 811) and Handfast Point (SZ 054 824
44.
Slipway at Boat Park and RNLI Station off Peveril Point Road. (SZ 038 787)
45.
Swanage Pier Car Park (SZ 037 787) Private car park with hardstanding. Access to shingle beach (via sailing club) through gates.
46.
Main slipway off High Street (SZ 034 787
47.
Narrow slipways at The Parade / The Mowlem off High Street (SZ 032 788)
48.
Narrow slipway at the Shore Road / Victoria Avenue intersection. (SZ 032 792)
49
Slipway at Ocean Bay opposite Shore House Retirement Home where Shore Road / Ulwell Road merge. (SZ 031 797) 50.
Access for light vehicles via steep, narrow track adjacent to Grand Hotel on Burlington Road (SZ 032 799). No direct access for vehicles onto beach.
RVP1
Victoria Avenue Car Park, Swanage. (SZ 026 792)
RVP2
North Beach Car Park, Ulwell Road, New Swanage. (SZ 030 799)
RVP3
Peveril Point Road Car Park, Swanage. (SZ 035 787)
Part Four: Coastal Data Sheets – Durlston Head to Handfast Point
Managed Sites
Managing Body
Dorset County Council
DCC/ The Countryside Commission
DCC/ The Countryside Commission
Cleanup
Priorities
S
3
2
1
1
1
1
3
3
W
3
2
1
1
1
1
3
3
Page 159